Showcasing a new guide for young innovators

Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel and Assistant Minister for Innovation Wyatt Roy have joined Bribie Island students to promote a new one-stop guide to more than 250 digital technology, entrepreneurial, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) programmes.

The resource highlights the growing range of workshops, competitions and activities – from early childhood to high school – provided by government and non-government organisations, businesses, universities and other agencies.

“It’s an invaluable collection of programmes delivered in-class, online, after school or during holidays,” Mr Roy said at Banksia Beach State School.

“From Club Kidpreneur, developing financial literacy and business acumen for primary schoolers, to First Robotics Competition where high school students create robots to perform against international teams, the guide is the perfect kick-starter to innovation in and outside the classroom.

“All of the programmes are designed to help fast-track our young people to the jobs of the future.”

Dr Finkel said the guide contained a wealth of information and opportunities.

“We need to challenge our students to excel in STEM subjects. To do this we must challenge ourselves to engage, excite and inspire,” he said.

“This index is a measure of our commitment to a future for all Australians.”Mr Roy said that in a rapidly-changing world, many new and now non-existent jobs would emerge. “It’s a time of tremendous excitement and opportunity,” he said.

“We owe it to our young people, the future drivers of prosperity, to embed the skills they need not just to survive but to thrive in our transitioning economy. “That means a cultural shift to embracing innovation and entrepreneurialism right from the early years and positioning our classrooms at the cutting edge of STEM.”

Mr Roy said SPI 2016 was produced by the Office of the Chief Scientist with help from the Australian Industry Group, as part of the STEM Skills Partnerships programme.

“I urge all local principals and school leaders to get involved in these great opportunities as we prepare, encourage and motivate our students of today to be the innovators of tomorrow,” Mr Roy said.